Photos of the Week
In our weekly series highlighting some of the most interesting images in wedding and portrait photography, the editorial staff asks the creatives behind the photos to detail the backstory and technical approach. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
Monday: Light Play with Film
San Francisco-based photographer Sophie Berard shot this image—a test shoot with model Kira—on her Minolta using Kodak TMax 400 film at ISO 200.
“I placed Kira in the direct light and had her centered within the shade of the background,” says Berard. “Behind her was actually another hallway leading further back into the bunker, but by placing her in the direct light and exposing for the subject, I was able to make the background appear as one flat shadow.”
Berard adds that she loves working with film and during her time working with TMax, specifically, she’s learned the following: “Start with a test roll before developing anything you care about; shoot at ISO 200; if it’s hazy it’s your fixer, change it; takes direct light and cloudy days like a champ; personal preference is pulling down the blacks when scanning in; overall solid film but I’ll be going back to TriX; it’s okay to date yourself!”
Tuesday: Photographing a Wedding in a Pandemic
Cotswolds photographer Dan Morris says this was the first wedding he photographed since March due to the COVID-19 lockdown. It took place at a quaint little thatched roofed church in the little historic village of Fownhope in Herefordshire, England, and there were 26 guests in total.
“It was a case of muscle memory and hoping that it would all come back quickly,” he says. “I’m glad to say it soon comes back and it was great to capture memories for this couple and their families. It was great getting the camera back out.”
For this photo, Morris used his 85mm lens so he could keep his distance— “something I had to remember to keep in mind all day,” he says.
Photographed with a Nikon D850 and an 85mm f/1.4 at 1/1250th of a sec. and ISO 125.
Wednesday: Stylized Bridal Shoot
This image by Keith Cephus was created during a styled wedding shoot at the Waterside Marriott in Norfolk, Virginia. “It was a collaboration with some sought after wedding vendors to revitalize and beautify the Marriott’s newly renovated property,” says Cephus. “My camera of choice was the Canon 1DX Mark II with the Canon 50mm 1.2 lens. To create the movement in the gown, my shutter speed was 125 @ f/4 and ISO 640.”
Cephus also used the Stella Pro CLx from Light and Motion. “The lighting was bounced through a white umbrella to deliver this soft and flattering light. My objective was to light the model and dress gently without blowing out the highlights and the details.”
Bridal Gown: Love Bride Boutique
Makeup: Chelsea Marie
Hair: Yalonda Billups
Model: Keara
Thursday: Clear Lines and Proper Framing
This photo was captured in the building where Croatian wedding photographer Tomislav Marcijuš lives.
“This was the first editorial for I did since lockdown started in our hometown,” the photographer explains. “I was limited by COVID-19 restrictions, so I needed to stay in my hometown of Osijek, which is famous for art nouveau architecture. Thanks to my civil engineering background, I always look for geometry, clear lines and proper framing. Various types of architecture is very important in my personal and commercial work.”
Photographed with a Nikon Z6 and Sigma Art 35mm f/1.4
Friday: On Assignment for Munaluchi Bride
Photographer Elizabeth Messina was on assignment in South Africa for Munaluchi Bride when she took this image.
One thing she makes sure to keep in mind when photographing darker skin tones, she says, is that “it’s important to expose well. If you underexpose, you’ll lose the beautiful tones in the shadows.”
Photographed with a Contax 645 and Kodak Portra 400 120 film, f.2 @ 1/60th of a sec. and window light.
Stylist: Joy Proctor
Hair & Makeup: Harold James
Dig into the Photo of the Day archives for more compelling imagery.